INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Flanders’ Future as a Knowledge Society (F2KS) in perspective

November 28, 2014 Palace of the Academies Albert II auditorium Brussels - Belgium

“A knowledge society generates, processes, shares and makes available to all members of the society knowledge that may be used to improve the human condition.”

(Definition provided by the UNESCO World Summit 2005)

Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts - Hertogsstraat 1 - B-1000 Brussels - www.kvab.be - [email protected] Flanders’ Future as a Knowledge Society (F2KS) in perspective

November 28, 2014 - Palace of the Academies - Brussels

Program 08:30 Registration & coffee

09:00 Irina Veretennicoff - Coordinator of the F2KS Thinker in Residence Project, member of the KVAB Setting the scene

09:15 International perspectives on science education Chair: José Mariano Gago – KVAB F2KS Thinker in Residence

Svein Sjoberg – Professor emeritus in Science education, Oslo University Creating a sustainable scientific culture among young people: the importance of interest, joy and motivation, and the curses of testing and ranking. - Q & A

09:45 STEM education in Flanders - PART I Chair: Irina Veretennicoff – Member of the KVAB, VUB

A provocative round table discussion followed by a debate with the audience

Flanders’ STEM deficit in perspective: Are we lacking STEM students and graduates, either in general, in specific domains or not at all? What should we do about this? Is the STEM education adequate?

Kurt Meeus – ASO GO! Bernadette Hendrickx – VeLeWe Joos Vandewalle – KVAB, KU Leuven Andreas Frans – VVS Discussant: José Mariano Gago Q&A

10:45 Coffee break

11:15 Facts and Figures about Flanders as a Knowledge Society Chair: Dirk Van Dyck – Member of the KVAB, UAntwerpen

Koen Debackere – Professor innovation management and policy, KU Leuven Q & A

11:45 STEM education in Flanders - PART II Chair: Veronique Van Speybroeck – Member of the KVAB, UGent

A provocative round table discussion followed by a debate with the audience

Flanders’ approach to informal STEM education. Kathleen Kuypers – Teacher ICT and CS Jo Decuyper – RVO Society, IMEC Erik Jacquemyn – Technopolis, STEM Academies Q&A

12:30 Lunch

Registration: kvab.fikket.be

2 14:00 Address from the Flemish minister of Innovation Chair: Ludo Gelders – President of the KVAB

Philippe Muyters – Flemish Minister for Work, Economics, Innovation and Sports The need for science and innovation in Flanders: food for thought.

14:20 Evidence, doubts and thoughts about Flanders on its way to a knowledge society Chair: Alexandre Sevrin – Member of the KVAB, VUB

Eric Corijn – Cultural philosopher and social scientist, Founder COSMOPOLIS, VUB Are our universities ready for the knowledge society?

Conny Aerts – Vice–dean communication & Outreach, Faculty of Science, KU Leuven, KVAB A natural scientist to bear witness - Q & A

15:05 International perspectives on knowledge-based societies and economies Chair: José Mariano Gago – KVAB F2KS Thinker in Residence

Joaquim Oliveira Martins – Head, OECD Regional Development Policy Division, How are regional and national policies addressing the challenges of supporting knowledge-based economies? - Q & A

15:35 Break

16:05 Flanders economic development in perspective Chair: Christiane Malcorps – Member of the KVAB, Executive vice-president at Solvay S.A.

Luc Soete – Former director UNU–MERIT, Rector Magnificus University Flanders economic development in perspective: how can society sustain a performing knowledge-based economy? - Q & A

A provocative round table discussion followed by a debate with the audience

Flanders towards a creative, innovation driven knowledge economy? Koen Laenens – Essenscia Charles Hirsch – KVAB, VUB, Numeca

Marie Claire Van de Velde – UGent Wim Dehaene – KU Leuven, MICAS Lena Bondue – NFTE Q&A

17:15 Conclusions and recommendations Jose Mariano Gago – KVAB F2KS Thinker in Residence A knowledge-based society under catalysis: a personal summary, and some naïve proposals for action.

17:45 Official closing Ludo Gelders – President of the KVAB

17:50 Reception and room for further informal discussions

33 Introduction

Is Flanders indeed on its way to a curiosity and innova- It didn’t take very long to identify Professor José tion driven knowledge society? This is the question that Mariano Gago as probably the best possible candi- we intend to address today during this international date “ Thinker” for our project. I hope that his short CV, Conference entitled "Flanders Future as a knowledge to be found in this conference brochure will convince society (F2KS) in perspective". you that we made the right choice.

Welcome to you, esteemed 25 experts and stakehol- Let us not anticipate here on what will be discussed ders who will throw their own light on the question. today. Let me just tell you that Flanders has made great Welcome to you, the 150 ladies and gentlemen from progress on its way to a Knowledge Society especially many horizons who decided to attend the Conference in the last decade. Innumerous programs, actions and and hopefully contribute to a debate that will for sure instruments to stimulate research, education, and not be closed tonight! innovation for business and industry have been launched. But we have to admit that the return on Most of you may know that our Academy has commit- these investments is not as strong as expected. Can ted itself to organize nine "Thinkers in Residence" one identify some of the origins of this problem? Can programs in the period 2013-2017. These programs aim solutions be proposed? at giving the Flemish Government but also our society at large, an independent, high level, "academic" During this Conference our concept of a Knowledge opinion on a topic of concern today and a source of Society will we confronted with the Flemish realities, even more concern for tomorrow. starting from present day trends in education, society and economy. We are fortunate to have three interna- The rules of the game are the following: tional experts with us, who will bring our questions in - the topic is determined by one or more of the four perspective. Although most presentations will be given classes of the Academy. In our case, it were the mem- in English, your interventions, questions and remarks in bers of the class of Natural Sciences - that I had the Dutch or in French are more than welcome. privilege to direct last year- who came up with the Flanders’ Future as a Knowledge Society (F2KS) theme. A twitter account has been opened to collect your first We were very fortunate that two eminent members of reactions: #F2KS. the class of the Technical Sciences joined the steering committee. On behalf of Prof JM Gago and the steering committee - the process is guided by a well-known international of this Thinkers in Residence program, I wish you a most expert in the field, a "Thinker" invited to spend about 45 interesting and enjoyable day! days - fortunately not in a row! - at the Academy. His/her responsibility is to feed the discussions, inspire and interrogate its members and hopefully many other stakeholders in Flanders. And vice-versa. By the end of his/her stay the Thinker is expected to organize a Irina Veretennicoff Conference … such as the one we are having today. Coordinator of the F2KS Thinker in Residence Project

4 Thinker in Residence

José Mariano Gago – KVAB F2KS Thinker in residence

Former Minister of , in charge of Science and Technology, Information Society and Higher Education (1995-2002 and 2005-2011).

Professor José Mariano Gago is an experimental high energy physicist and a Professor at IST (Instituto Superior Técnico, ). He graduated as an electrical engineer by the Technical and obtained a PhD in Physics at École Polytechnique and Universities in the EU. He was responsible, with M. Heitor, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, in Paris. He worked for for the launching of large scale collaborative programs many years as a researcher at the European Organisa- with US universities (MIT-Portugal, as well as with CMU, tion for Nuclear Physics (CERN), , and in UTA and Harvard Medical). Prof. Gago has also prepa- Portugal’s Laboratory for Particle Physics (LIP) that he red, with UNESCO and CPLP, a new initiative and a new created and currently chairs. UNESCO Centre for the advanced training of scientists from developing countries, Ciência Global. He has also created and chairs a think-tank for forward- looking studies, Instituto de Prospectiva, responsible for He chaired the Initiative for Science in Europe (ISE) and the annual Arrabida meetings on prospective studies campaigned for the creation of the European (since 1991). Research Council. He also chaired the High Level Group on Human Resources for Science and Techno- He launched the Ciência Viva movement to promote logy in Europe and coordinated the European report S&T culture and S&T in society. He was responsible for Europe Needs More Scientists (2004). Prof. Gago was the reform of Higher Education and for the policies the first President of the International Risk Governance leading to the fast development of Science and Council (IRGC) in Geneva and is a member of IRGC Technology in Portugal. During the Portuguese EU Board. He is a member of the Board of INSERM (France), presidency (2000), he prepared, along with the a policy advisor to the European Cancer Organisation European Commission, the Lisbon Strategy for the (ECCO), a member of the Board of Trustees of the European Research Area and for the Information Cyprus Institute, and a member of the Governing Board Society in Europe. He also launched in 1998 the Eureka- of Euroscience. He is special advisor to the European Asia Initiative in Macao. During the 2007 Portuguese EU Space Agency (ESA) Director-General. He is a member Presidency he promoted the adoption of a strategy for of the Academia Europaea and was elected Honorary the future of S&T in Europe and for the modernisation of Member of the European Physical Society.

Steering Committee F2KS

Conny Aerts Institute of Astronomy, KU Leuven Yvan Bruynseraede Laboratory for Solid-State Physics and Magnetism, KU Leuven Jean De Cannière Executive Director United Fund for Belgium José Mariano Gago Former Minister of Portugal Charles Hirsch President NUMECA International, VUB Dirk Inzé Plant Systems Biology, UGent Christiane Malcorps Executive Vice President Solvay SA/NV Niceas Schamp Chemistry, UGent Alexandre Sevrin Theoretical Physics, VUB Dirk Van Dyck Physics, UAntwerpen Paul Van Houtte Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, KU Leuven Joos Vandewalle Electrical Engineering, KU Leuven Irina Veretennicoff Photonics Science and Engineering, VUB Christoffel Waelkens Institute of Astronomy, KU Leuven

5 Keynote lectures

In order of appearance He is the co-founder and chairman of Leuven.Inc, the innovation network of Leuven high-tech entrepreneurs. Svein Sjøberg – Professor emeritus in He is a board member of IWT-Vlaanderen, the Flemish Science Education, Oslo University government agency that supports science and technology development in Flemish industry. Since Svein Sjøberg is professor emeritus in 2005, he is the general manager of KU Leuven. science education at Oslo University, Norway. He has worked extensively with Facts and Figures about Flanders as a Knowledge international and comparative aspects Society. of science education through e.g. UNESCO, OECD, ICSU and the EU, and The focus of the presentation is on the indicator base to has won several prizes and awards for his map the knowledge and innovation intensity of the research and promotion of science literacy and public Flemish region. Data and indicators on R&D expenditu- understanding of science. He is member of the two res, participation in higher education programs, partici- Norwegian academies: Norwegian Academy of pation in the European Research Area, publication and Science and Letters and Norwegian Technical Science patent output, and the innovation performance of Academy. Flemish companies underpin the innovation perfor- mance of Flanders. Time series data show that the Creating a sustainable scientific culture among young Flemish region is oscillating between being an innova- people: The importance of interest, joy and motivation, tion leader and an innovation follower. and the curses of testing and ranking.

School science is often perceived to be dull, boring, Philippe Muyters – Vlaams Minister van closed and authoritarian, and when science is no Werk, Economie, Innovatie en Sport longer an obligatory part of the curriculum, many students opt out of science. Students' attitudes to and The need for science and innovation in perceptions of science and technology (S&T) are Flanders: food for thought. strong determinants for their choice of studies and careers. Moreover, attitudes are more lasting than the Philippe Muyters was born in Antwerp on actual knowledge that has been learned, and may 6 December 1961. After his economic determine how students relate to S&T as adults, as studies, he started his career as an voters and consumers. economic advisor. At the age of 32, he International comparisons are important; we can learn became head of the SERV (Flanders’ Social and from others and get inspiration. But when international Economic Counsil). From 2000 until 2009 he was the comparisons take the form of country rankings accor- Managing Director of VOKA (Flemish Chamber of ding to universal, global (and hence decontextualized) Commerce and Industry). In 2009 he joined the Flemish criteria, the results may be damaging and detrimental to Government, where he was responsible for Finance, a sustainable interest in S&T. The global discourse on Budget, Work, Town and Country Planning and Sports. education is increasingly being dominated by the After the elections of June, Philippe Muyters became OECD-study PISA. The race to improve PISA-rankings has Flemish Minister for Work, Economics, Innovation and become high priority in many countries. National Sports, a portfolio that might have been written for him. curricula, values and priorities are pushed aside. The battle to improve test results may conflict with the task to make science relevant, interesting and motivating for Eric Corijn – Cultural philosopher and the learners. The presentation will raise some of the social scientist, Founder COSMOPOLIS, problems caused by PISA as a global measure of quality. VUB

Eric Corijn, cultural philosopher and Koen Debackere – Professor innovation social scientist, professor of urban studies management and policy, KU Leuven at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, founder of Cosmopolis, Centre for Urban Research, Koenraad Debackere became professor vice chair of the Brussels Studies Institute at KU Leuven in 1995 where he teaches and director of Brussels Academy, coor- Technology and Innovation Manage- dinator of 4Cities, an Erasmus Mundus Master in Urban ment. He has won Best Research Paper Studies with the universities of Brussels (VUB and ULB), Awards from the American Academy of Vienna, Copenhagen and Madrid (Complutense and Management and the Decision Sciences Autonoma), author of more than 250 publications. Institute. His research has focused on the area of technology and innovation Are our universities ready for the knowledge society? management and policy. He is also actively engaged in technology transfer The hypothesis of a “knowledge society”, where activities as managing director of KU innovation and creativity are essential and immediate Leuven Research & Development and tools for socialisation, questions the town gown relation- Chairman of the Gemma Frisius Fonds of the KU Leuven. ship. Are universities adapted to this knowledge

6 society? Are the production conditions of academic was also Senior Economist at the OECD Economics knowledge suited for contextual social challenges? This Department, where he managed projects on Health contribution will advance some sceptic observations Expenditures, the Economics of Education and Ageing on the “really existing academy” and suggest paths to and Growth. As Head of Desk for Emerging markets, he a better relation with knowledge society. It will define was in charge of the first Economic Surveys of Brazil, the importance of innovation and creativity in relation Chile and several transition countries. Before the OECD, with the processes of globalisation, urbanization and he was Research Fellow at the Centre d’Etudes postindustrial transition. It will then contrast the origin, Prospectives et d’Informations Internationales (CEPII, structure and functioning of the universities related with Paris). He holds a PhD in Economics from the University the nation state, with scientific disciplines and with of Paris-I, Panthéon-Sorbonne, and is currently Associ- commodification of knowledge. It will finally draw some ate Professor at the University of Paris-Dauphine. arguments from the “slow science” movement to improve the relationship between town and gown. How are regional and national policies addressing the challenges of supporting knowledge-based econo- mies? Conny Aerts – Vice–dean communica- tion & Outreach, Faculty of Science, KU The traditional macro and sectoral engines of growth Leuven, KVAB seem to be stalled in Europe. Although there is evidence that economy-wide structural policies and Conny Aerts studied mathematics at sound macroeconomic conditions are good for Antwerp University and astrophysics at regional productivity convergence, the particular KU Leuven. She is currently Director of the (power-law) distribution of the contribution of the Institute of Astronomy and Vice-Dean different types of regions to aggregate growth, implies Communication & Outreach of the that uniform, economy-wide policies alone are unlikely Faculty of Science, KULeuven. She also to achieve all efficiency gains. This granularity of the occupies the Chair in Asteroseismology at the sources of growth implies that economy-wide structural Radboud University Nijmegen in the . policies supporting growth and innovation may need to Conny Aerts is an expert in stellar astrophysics and a be completed by spatially-targeted policies. The latter pioneer of the research field of asteroseismology. She can also increase policy complementarity, and, in this was awarded with an ERC Advanced Grant in 2008 way, contribute to enhancing the return of individual and was the first woman to receive the Francqui Prize in reforms across all levels of government. In this regard, Exact Sciences in 2012. Conny Aerts holds numerous there is a “good governance premium” to be mobili- international responsibilities worldwide, in particular at sed, for which regional policies can contribute. space and research agencies such as ESA, ESO, and ERC. Luc Soete – Former director UNU–MERIT, A natural scientist to bear witness. Rector Magnificus

Conny Aerts will stress the importance of motivation Luc Soete is Rector Magnificus of Maas- and fun as basis to choose studies in the natural tricht University. Professor Soete is a sciences and mathematics. Her talk also contains a member of the Royal Dutch Academy of plea to adopt research-oriented active learning in Sciences (KNAW) and the Advisory Coun- lecturing and to avoid inappropriate stereotypical cil for Science and Technology Policy representations of scientists in the press and media. The (AWT). He is Chairman of the High Level importance of collaborative efforts between secon- Group “Research, Innovation and dary schools and universities to attract more students to Science Policy Experts”(RISE) at the STEM education will also be stressed, with specific European Commission. emphasis on the need for more female and allochto- Professor Soete obtained his PhD in economics at the nous populations at universities. . He worked at the Department of Economics of the University of Antwerp, the Institute of Development Studies and the Science Policy Research Joaquim Oliveira Martins – Head, OECD Unit both at the University of Sussex, and the Depart- Regional Development Policy Division, ment of Economics at Stanford University. In 1986, he Paris was appointed Professor of International Economic Relations at Maastricht University. In 2002, he was Joaquim Oliveira Martins is the Head of awarded the Maastricht School of Management Hono- the OECD Regional Development Policy rary Fellow Award. In 2006 he obtained the Comman- Division, where he supervises projects on der in the Order of the Crown, a national decoration of regional and urban development, multi- Belgium. In 2010 he received a Doctor Honoris Causa level governance issues, regional from the University of Ghent. statistics and well-being. He was former Head of the Structural Economic Statistics Division, Flanders economic development in perspective: how where he developed Trade & Globalisation studies, can society sustain a performing knowledge-based Productivity measurement and Business statistics. He economy?

7 Panel discussion

Panel discussion on STEM education in Flanders - PART I Better preparation and realistic views on his/her 2. Jo De Cuyper 3. Erik Jacquemyn capacities with a positioning test at the end of high Jo Decuyper studied physics and obtained his PhD in Erik Jacquemyn is CEO of Technopolis®, the Flemish Flanders’ STEM deficit in perspective: Are we lacking school can help the student to confirm or modify the 1993 on cognitive models of the physical world and Science Centre (Mechelen, Belgium). As CEO -since STEM students and graduates, either in general, in study program selection. This leads to a better success their relation to common sense reasoning at the 1988 - of the F.T.I Foundation (set up by the Flemish specific domains or not at all? What should we do rate in the first academic year and more STEM gradu- Artificial Intelligence lab of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel Government), he coordinates numerous activities about this? Is the STEM education adequate? ates. in 1993. He joined the Flemish administration for bringing science and technology to different target science policy. Among other tasks he was responsible groups. The science centre (open February 2000) and Members of the panel: 4. Andreas Frans for a program devoted to the public understanding its outreach activities reach over 500 000 International officer, VVS - National Union of Flemish of science and technology. Since 2000 he is directing people/year. Erik Jacquemyn served on the Boards of 1. Kurt Meeus Students the Roger Van Overstraeten Society VZW Ecsite (European Network of Science Centres and General Director, Scholengroep Midden-Brabant, Andreas Frans Student, Faculty of Medical and Biomedical Sciences, (rvo-society), a not-for-profit organisation founded by Museums) and ASTC (Association of Science- GO! Onderwijs van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap KULeuven imec, the universities, industrial partners and a Technology Centers) and sits on different committees Headmaster of Koninklijk Atheneum Vilvoorde (ASO) number of close friends of Professor Van Overstrae- and juries active in the field of science communica- Teacher Physics and ICT at secondary level Panel discussion on STEM education in Flanders - PART II ten. tion. Ingenieur Flanders’ approach to informal STEM education. The RVO Society was established in 2000 in fond “On Technopolis® and STEM Academies” Van een complexe structuur met een eenvoudige en memory of Prof. Dr. Ir. Roger Van Overstraeten (RVO), duidelijk afgebakende taak voor een leerkracht naar Members of the panel: the founder and first CEO of Imec. The RVO Society Technopolis® is the Flemish centre for science een eenvoudige structuur met een complexere taak has the ambition to be kind of a "logic gate" between communication, with its science centre in Mechelen voor een team van leerkrachten? Zelfsturende teams 1. Kathleen Kuypers research and scientific and technical education so as (opened in 2000) and numerous innovative outreach als “systeem” als basis voor actueel wetenschapson- Kathleen Kuypers is passionate about teaching ICT to convey, in an interesting and relevant way, aware- projects for specific target groups. Technopolis®’ derwijs? and CS. As a master in mathematics and computer ness and practical skills to young people and the mission is to Bring science and technology closer to science at the university of Antwerp she worked as a public-at-large. people. Technopolis® aims to go further than just Kurt Meeus 2. Bernadette Hendrickx software engineer at Ordina Denkart and as a During this panel discussion, we want to present some heightening public awareness of or insight into Member of the Association of Science Teachers network engineer at Digipolis and Azlan. She also elements of thought that can serve as building blocks sciences and technology. Its objective is to involve (VeLeWe) - trained future IT teachers as a lecturer at Thomas of a more efficient STEM-based education system and the public at large in sciences and technology. Teacher in physics Heilig-Hart&College, Halle Moore higher Education institute. When the domain lead to a broader public support for STEM activities in With its activities, Technopolis® is a complement to Representative of the science teachers in the ASO “IT and networks” was launched in the technical general. They might also pave Flanders' way towards the formal education system. Informal learning, also secondary education (TSO), she was eager to bring a knowledge society. called “free choice learning”, is an important tool for "Optimizing science education to make students like her experience to a new generation of students. She getting both young and old interested, educated is determined to show them the way to become not and involved in science and technology. studying" only consumers but also creators in the digital world. Internationally Technopolis® is considered one of the In a knowledge society sciences are present in every- Now she is a driving force translating this idea into leaders in the field. From 17 till 19 March 2014, one's daily life. In a knowledge society there is a great concrete actions. As a result, her school has become Technopolis® hosted the Science Centre World need for scientists. Therefore we have to invest in Bernadette Hendrickx a "STEM school of excellence". Her continuing Summit, a unique high-level, global gathering that science education to offer quality and motivate challenge is to convince young students that STEM is brought together CEO’s, managers, decision makers young people to choose for science studies. not nerdy but a fascinating topic with a great future. and experts from within and outside the science A central examination can make students work centre field. In total, 464 participants from 58 different regularly and continuously to really enjoy sciences “Moving up from digital consumers to creators, how countries attended the World Summit. Panel discussion on Flanders economic development and to be well prepared for science education at the to lead students the way.” university. - As digital natives, today’s students take modern Flanders towards a creative, innovation driven knowledge 3. Joos Vandewalle technology for granted. They simply can’t imagine a economy? Joos Vandewalle obtained the electrical engineering world without it… By showing them what technology 3. Marie Claire Van de Velde degree and doctorate in applied sciences from KU is driving the tools they use in daily life, we try to make Members of the panel: Advisor Vice-Rector UGent Leuven in 1971 and 1976. Until October 2013 he was a students curious about the possibilities of ICT. This is an full professor at the Department Electrical Engineering effective way to make students eager to design and Kathleen Kuypers 1. Koen Laenens 4. Wim Dehaene (ESAT), KU Leuven, and head of the SCD division at create their own applications instead of merely use Secretary General, Director Social Affairs, Essenscia KU Leuven, ESAT-MICAS ESAT, with more than 150 researchers. Since October tools. Micro-electronics engineer with projects on bridging the gap 2013 he is a professor emeritus with assignments at KU In secondary school we should train students to 2. Charles Hirsch between high tech development at universities and secondary Leuven. He held visiting positions at University of become smart consumers as well as creators of digital Founder of Numeca International (Software for Computational education. California, Berkeley and I3S CNRS Sophia Antipolis, technology. To achieve this, the current subject Fluid Dynamics (CFD) design and automation), VUB France. He taught courses in linear algebra, linear Informatics should be split up into two. An Applicati- Member of the KVAB, initiator of the KVAB publication: “Innova- 5. Lena Bondue and nonlinear system and circuit theory, signal ons subject in which students learn to use tools in a tive entrepreneurship by spin-offs of knowledge centra” Director NFTE, Network for Training Entrepreneurship Belgium processing and neural networks. His research interests smart way and a Computer science subject which are in mathematical system theory and its applicati- deals with creation of digital solutions. It is also very ons in circuit theory, control, signal processing, crypto- important to inspire and impassion students, therefore graphy and neural networks. He is a Fellow of IEEE, IET, teachers should tease them by showing the omnipre- and EURASIP and member of the Academia sence of technology in daily life. This omnipresence Joos Vandewalle Europaea and of the Belgian Academy of Sciences. proves that STEM is relevant to society and to the future. “Bridging the gap between high schools and universities”

8 Panel discussion on STEM education in Flanders - PART I Better preparation and realistic views on his/her 2. Jo De Cuyper 3. Erik Jacquemyn capacities with a positioning test at the end of high Jo Decuyper studied physics and obtained his PhD in Erik Jacquemyn is CEO of Technopolis®, the Flemish Flanders’ STEM deficit in perspective: Are we lacking school can help the student to confirm or modify the 1993 on cognitive models of the physical world and Science Centre (Mechelen, Belgium). As CEO -since STEM students and graduates, either in general, in study program selection. This leads to a better success their relation to common sense reasoning at the 1988 - of the F.T.I Foundation (set up by the Flemish specific domains or not at all? What should we do rate in the first academic year and more STEM gradu- Artificial Intelligence lab of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel Government), he coordinates numerous activities about this? Is the STEM education adequate? ates. in 1993. He joined the Flemish administration for bringing science and technology to different target science policy. Among other tasks he was responsible groups. The science centre (open February 2000) and Members of the panel: 4. Andreas Frans for a program devoted to the public understanding its outreach activities reach over 500 000 International officer, VVS - National Union of Flemish of science and technology. Since 2000 he is directing people/year. Erik Jacquemyn served on the Boards of 1. Kurt Meeus Students the Roger Van Overstraeten Society VZW Ecsite (European Network of Science Centres and General Director, Scholengroep Midden-Brabant, Student, Faculty of Medical and Biomedical Sciences, (rvo-society), a not-for-profit organisation founded by Jo De Cuyper Museums) and ASTC (Association of Science- GO! Onderwijs van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap KULeuven imec, the universities, industrial partners and a Technology Centers) and sits on different committees Headmaster of Koninklijk Atheneum Vilvoorde (ASO) number of close friends of Professor Van Overstrae- and juries active in the field of science communica- Teacher Physics and ICT at secondary level Panel discussion on STEM education in Flanders - PART II ten. tion. Ingenieur Flanders’ approach to informal STEM education. The RVO Society was established in 2000 in fond “On Technopolis® and STEM Academies” Van een complexe structuur met een eenvoudige en memory of Prof. Dr. Ir. Roger Van Overstraeten (RVO), duidelijk afgebakende taak voor een leerkracht naar Members of the panel: the founder and first CEO of Imec. The RVO Society Technopolis® is the Flemish centre for science een eenvoudige structuur met een complexere taak has the ambition to be kind of a "logic gate" between communication, with its science centre in Mechelen voor een team van leerkrachten? Zelfsturende teams 1. Kathleen Kuypers research and scientific and technical education so as (opened in 2000) and numerous innovative outreach als “systeem” als basis voor actueel wetenschapson- Kathleen Kuypers is passionate about teaching ICT to convey, in an interesting and relevant way, aware- projects for specific target groups. Technopolis®’ derwijs? and CS. As a master in mathematics and computer ness and practical skills to young people and the mission is to Bring science and technology closer to science at the university of Antwerp she worked as a public-at-large. people. Technopolis® aims to go further than just Erik Jacquemyn 2. Bernadette Hendrickx software engineer at Ordina Denkart and as a During this panel discussion, we want to present some heightening public awareness of or insight into Member of the Association of Science Teachers network engineer at Digipolis and Azlan. She also elements of thought that can serve as building blocks sciences and technology. Its objective is to involve (VeLeWe) trained future IT teachers as a lecturer at Thomas of a more efficient STEM-based education system and the public at large in sciences and technology. Teacher in physics Heilig-Hart&College, Halle Moore higher Education institute. When the domain lead to a broader public support for STEM activities in With its activities, Technopolis® is a complement to Representative of the science teachers in the ASO “IT and networks” was launched in the technical general. They might also pave Flanders' way towards the formal education system. Informal learning, also secondary education (TSO), she was eager to bring a knowledge society. called “free choice learning”, is an important tool for "Optimizing science education to make students like her experience to a new generation of students. She getting both young and old interested, educated studying" is determined to show them the way to become not and involved in science and technology. only consumers but also creators in the digital world. Internationally Technopolis® is considered one of the In a knowledge society sciences are present in every- Now she is a driving force translating this idea into leaders in the field. From 17 till 19 March 2014, one's daily life. In a knowledge society there is a great concrete actions. As a result, her school has become Technopolis® hosted the Science Centre World need for scientists. Therefore we have to invest in a "STEM school of excellence". Her continuing Summit, a unique high-level, global gathering that science education to offer quality and motivate challenge is to convince young students that STEM is brought together CEO’s, managers, decision makers young people to choose for science studies. not nerdy but a fascinating topic with a great future. and experts from within and outside the science A central examination can make students work centre field. In total, 464 participants from 58 different regularly and continuously to really enjoy sciences “Moving up from digital consumers to creators, how countries attended the World Summit. Panel discussion on Flanders economic development and to be well prepared for science education at the to lead students the way.” university. As digital natives, today’s students take modern Flanders towards a creative, innovation driven knowledge 3. Joos Vandewalle technology for granted. They simply can’t imagine a economy? Joos Vandewalle obtained the electrical engineering world without it… By showing them what technology 3. Marie Claire Van de Velde degree and doctorate in applied sciences from KU is driving the tools they use in daily life, we try to make Members of the panel: Advisor Vice-Rector UGent Leuven in 1971 and 1976. Until October 2013 he was a students curious about the possibilities of ICT. This is an full professor at the Department Electrical Engineering effective way to make students eager to design and 1. Koen Laenens 4. Wim Dehaene (ESAT), KU Leuven, and head of the SCD division at create their own applications instead of merely use Secretary General, Director Social Affairs, Essenscia KU Leuven, ESAT-MICAS ESAT, with more than 150 researchers. Since October tools. Micro-electronics engineer with projects on bridging the gap 2013 he is a professor emeritus with assignments at KU In secondary school we should train students to 2. Charles Hirsch between high tech development at universities and secondary Leuven. He held visiting positions at University of become smart consumers as well as creators of digital Founder of Numeca International (Software for Computational education. California, Berkeley and I3S CNRS Sophia Antipolis, technology. To achieve this, the current subject Fluid Dynamics (CFD) design and automation), VUB France. He taught courses in linear algebra, linear Informatics should be split up into two. An Applicati- Member of the KVAB, initiator of the KVAB publication: “Innova- 5. Lena Bondue and nonlinear system and circuit theory, signal ons subject in which students learn to use tools in a tive entrepreneurship by spin-offs of knowledge centra” Director NFTE, Network for Training Entrepreneurship Belgium processing and neural networks. His research interests smart way and a Computer science subject which are in mathematical system theory and its applicati- deals with creation of digital solutions. It is also very ons in circuit theory, control, signal processing, crypto- important to inspire and impassion students, therefore graphy and neural networks. He is a Fellow of IEEE, IET, teachers should tease them by showing the omnipre- and EURASIP and member of the Academia sence of technology in daily life. This omnipresence Europaea and of the Belgian Academy of Sciences. proves that STEM is relevant to society and to the future. “Bridging the gap between high schools and universities”

Koen Laenens Charles Hirsch Marie Claire Van de Velde Wim Dehaene Lena Bondue

9 Chairpersons

Irina Veretennicoff Ludo Gelders Member of the KVAB, VUB President of the KVAB, KU Leuven

Irina Veretennicoff obtained her PhD in Ludo Gelders is emeritus professor of Industrial Manage- Physics from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel ment at KU Leuven. He holds degrees in electromecha- (VUB) in 1973. She became full professor nical engineering (Ghent) and Industrial Management at its Faculty of Engineering in 1990 in a (Louvain). He studied management at the MIT-Sloan new department , devoted to research School and holds a PhD in Industrial Management. and education in applied physics and After work experience in jet-engine manufacturing, he photonics, that she contributed to took up an academic career. He served establish and expand. Irina has been serving as an as chairman of the Department of expert in many European, Federal and Flemish advisory Mechanical Engineering and the Center boards and research programs. She is member of the for Industrial Management (KU Leuven). Flemish Academy for Science and Literature and Fine He published on logistics, production, Arts and was the first woman to direct the Class of maintenance and quality management. Natural Sciences in 2012 and 2013. He has been active in private and public companies. He was President of the Flemish Water Supply Company, vice-president of UHasselt and President of KVIV (Royal Flemish Engineering Dirk Van Dyck Society). Currently he is President of the Member of the KVAB, UAntwerpen Royal Belgian Academy for Sciences and the Arts (KVAB).

Dirk Van Dyck is professor emeritus in physics and honorary vice-rector for research of the University of Antwerp. He is known for his work on electron micros- copy and microtomography. He is the codeveloper of the first desk-top X-ray Alexandre Sevrin microtomograph and founder of 4 Member of the KVAB, VUB spin-off companies including SKYSCAN. Dirk Van Dyck is manager of UBCA - Alexander Sevrin got his physics degree Research Park of UAntwerpen. He published about 300 in 1985 from UGent. In 1988 he obtained scientific papers and several books and holds 4 his PhD from KU Leuven. He performed patents. In 2001 he received the Francqui Chair of the postdoctoral research at the C.N. Yang KU Leuven for his scientific work in electron microscopy Institute for Theoretical Physics at Stony and holography. Brook (New York), the University of Califor- nia at Berkeley, the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and at CERN. At the end of 1994 he got tenure at the Physics Depart- ment of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. He Veronique Van Speybrouck founded there the Theoretical High Member of the KVAB, UGent Energy Physics Group whose members investigate theoretical aspects of elementary particle Veronique Van Speybroeck is full profes- physics and cosmology. sor at UGent within the Faculty of He is the deputy director for physics of the International Engineering and Architecture. She also Solvay Institutes for Physics and Chemistry and he serves holds a position as Research Professor at on numerous boards among which the board of the UGent. She graduated as engineer in Francqui Foundation and the one of the Vlaamse physics at UGent in 1997 and obtained Wetenschappelijke Stichting which he also presides. He her PhD in 2001 on a subject dealing with is a guest professor at UAntwerp and KU Leuven. theoretical simulations of chemical reactions with static and dynamical approaches. She was co-founder of the Center for Molecular Modeling (CMM), which is now composed of about 35 researchers. In this Center, she is leading the “Computational Molecular Modeling” division. Her current research interests primarily comprise study of the kinetics of chemical reactions with state of the art molecular modeling techniques. She is member of the STEM-platform which was installed by the Flemish government to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics training and careers.

10 Christiane Malcorps Business-Academia Board for university qualified Member of the KVAB, Solvay S.A. engineering at the Flemish universities of Louvain & Ghent. She is also member of the Board of several Christiane Malcorps is Head of Global professional organizations in Belgium (essenscia, UWE, Facility Management and Country VOKA, BECI, de Warande). She is engaged in teaching Manager for Belgium for SOLVAY S.A. on Skill Development of PhD students preparing them Throughout her career she gained exten- for a successful business – academia interface and sive experience in business manage- helping them to develop as better citizens of the world. ment, always with a special attention for Christiane Malcorps studied university qualified chemi- safety, quality and innovation to ensure cal engineering at the Catholic University of Louvain that sustainable development creates value. She is and completed a PhD with major in Veterinary Science active in several organizations striving for a direct and minor in Biomedical Engineering at the University of contribution of business and academic experience to Wisconsin, Madison, USA in 1983. find solutions for societal needs. She is member of the

Participants list

Guy Aelterman UGent Bernard De Potter Flemish government Conny Aerts KU Leuven Astrid De Schrijver VOLTA Frank Baert KU Leuven Jo De Wachter KU Leuven Marc Beddegenoodts GO! Onderwijs van de Koen Debackere KU Leuven Vlaamse Gemeenschap Nathalie Debaes EYESTvzw, Excite Youth for Paul Bertels STEM-Platform Engin., Science and Techn. Stephan Blickx Fonds voor de Jo Decuyper RVO-Society VZW beroepsziekten Wim Dehaene KU Leuven Carine Boonen Flanders' Care Nicole Dekelver UHasselt Beleidsdomein WVG pascale dengis Flemish government, dept. Philippe Bourdeau ARB EWI Danièle Bouvy VOLTA Christof Devriendt VUB Dominique Boyen Co-valent Jorgen D'Hondt VUB Philippe Busquin European Parliament Aurelie Duchateau Flemish Department of Jan Buysse Vleva Foreign Affairs Philippe Cara VUB Freddy Dumortier KVAB, UHasselt Carine Casteleyn Explorado Rita Dunon Department of Education Simon Cauwenbergh UGent Hendrik Ferdinande UGent Eduard Celens Renaat Frans University College Leuven- Elke Christiaen Howest, University College Limburg Philippe Claeys VUB Andreas Frans VVS Liesbet Cockx UAntwerpen José Mariano Gago Thinker in residence Jean-Pierre Contzen Von Karman Institute for Fluid Niko Geerts Flemish government Dynamics Ludo Gelders KVAB, KU Leuven Eric Corijn COSMOPOLIS, VUB Georges Gielen KU Leuven Ben Craps VUB Mieke Gijsemans VUB R&D department Michael Creek Freelance Vincent Ginis VUB Lino da Costa Pereira KU Leuven Inge Gyssens Atheneum Brasschaat Johan Danneels Essensium Jacqueline Hellemans KU Leuven Dennis De Bie Uitgeverij De Boeck Bernadette Hendrickx H.-Hart&College Halle Jelle De Borger KU Leuven Jean Pierre Henriet UGent Jean De Cannière United Fund for Belgium Kris Heyde UGent Erik De Corte KU Leuven Charles Hirsch NUMECA Int. Hans De Four eduCentrum vzw Lut Hoornaert VTI Veurne Jean-Pierre De Greve VUB Serge Huyghe VKW Paul De Hondt Kabinet Vlaams viceminister- Mark Huyse KU Leuven president Hilde Crevits Erik Jacquemyn Technopolis, STEM Lut De Jaegher Arteveldehogeschool Academies Roger De Keersmaecker IMEC Liliane Jonckheere Haydée De Loof UAntwerpen Etienne Keller Dep.Keller Martine de Mazière Belgisch Instituut voor Ruimte Karel Kersters member KVAB Aëronomie Luc Kindt RVO Society Jolien De Meester KU Leuven Heidi Knipprath HIVA-KU LEUVEN Stijn De Mil Ersamus University College Anne-Lize Kochuyt Planetarium Brussels Brussels Cedric Koslowski WeZooz Academy

11 Participants list

Kathleen Kuypers KSJoma Annemie Struyf UAntwerpen Koen Laenens Essenscia Luc Taerwe UGent Franklin Lambert VUB and International Solvay Philippe Tassin Chalmers University Institutes Joseph Thas UGent Philip Lambrechts KlasCement Hendrik Theunissen Cabinet of the Minister- Greet Langie KU Leuven president Greet Langie KU Leuven Lieve Thibaut HIVA-KU Leuven Marc AR Larmuseau Sr eesv Eurysconsult Kris Thienpont Arteveldehogeschool Annemie Lemahieu CD&V Bruno Tindemans SYNTRA Vlaanderen Peter Lievens KU Leuven Alla Tourguieva BNYE Marie Lubs ARPNS Willy Van Belleghem Flemish Ministry for Education Boniface Lumpungu ISTA / KINSHASA Els Van Damme UGent Christiane Malcorps KVAB, Solvay S.A. Wim Van de Moortel VDAB Jelle Mampaey CHEGG - Centre for Higher Marie Claire Van de Velde UGent Education Governance Ghent Didier Van de Velde Vlaams Verbond Katholiek Harry Martens VLOR, UHasselt Secundair Onderwijs Kurt Meeus ASO GO! Georges Van der Perre KU Leuven/KVAB Nicki Mennekens KU Leuven Freek Van Deynze UGent Pieter Mestdagh esero.be: teaching with Dirk Van Dyck UAntwerpen space Georges Van Goethem European Commission / DG Tijs Michiels De Warande Reserach and Innovation Gina Mihai European Schoolnet Paul Van Houtte KVAB, KU Leuven Liliane Moeremans Flemish government, dep. EWI Helene Van Kerrebroeck Centrale Raad voor het Elisabeth Monard FWO Bedrijfsleven Bart Motmans KU Leuven Rudi Van Lysebetten VVKSO Philippe Muyters Flemish Minister for Work, Philippe Van Meerbeeck VRT Econ., Innov. and Sports Willy Van Overschee KVAB, CIMCIL Gerda Neyens KU Leuven Veronique Van Speybroeck UGent Joaquim Oliveira Martins OECD Karine Van Thienen VSKO - Flemish Office of Manuel Paiva ULB Catholic Education Wim Peeters PBDKO Thierry Vancrombrugge FOD Justitie Hensen Pieter BNP Paribas Fortis Rosette Vandenbroucke VUB Danielle Raspoet VRWI - Flemish Council for Paul Vandenplas ARB Science and Innovation Johan Vanderborght Milora Group Dirk Reyntjens DG EMPL - European Roland Vanderstukken NV Procopia Commission Pita Vandevelde AP Filip Robyn VTI Veurne Joos Vandewalle Electrical Eng. Dept. Evi Roelen Flemish Department of KU Leuven Foreign Affairs Sandra Vanhove International Polar Rony Mertens European press federation Foundation Jef Roos VDAB Walter Verbeke Thomas Moore Luc Rosiers AP Eef Verbeke ToekomstATELIERdelAvenir Ronald Rousseau KU Leuven Walter Verbeke Euroclear Niceas Schamp KVAB Gert Verdonck SERV Stichting Innovatie & An Schrijvers VRWI Arbeid Nick Schryvers UAntwerpen Pierre Verdoodt Vlaamse overheid, dept. EWI Bert Seghers KVAB Irina Veretennicoff VUB, KVAB Alexander Sevrin VUB Nele Vermeulen Hogeschool Gent Manuel Sintubin KU Leuven Vincent Verrydt Tracé Brussel Svein Sjoberg Oslo University Dirk Wauters KVAB Brigitte Smessaert Flanders' House of Food Dominique Willems UGent, KVAB Dirk Snyders UAntwerpen Kristiaan Willems KU Leuven Luc Soete Maastricht University Jacques Willems KVAB Ingrid Stes Uitgeverij Van In Pieter Willot KU Leuven Marit Storhaug Oslo and Akershus University Marleen Wynants Crosstalks College, Norway